Aymeric Laporte’s switch from France to Spain approved ahead of Euro 2020

Manchester City defender’s Spanish citizenship was approved earlier this week

Rohith Nair
Friday 14 May 2021 18:58 BST
Comments
Aymeric Laporte has only ever featured for France’s youth teams
Aymeric Laporte has only ever featured for France’s youth teams (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte can officially represent Spain at next month’s Euros after Fifa approved his switch from France on Friday.

Laporte’s application to be a Spanish citizen was granted this week and his change of association was passed by the Fifa Players’ Status Committee.

“The player Aymeric Laporte is eligible to play for the representative teams of the RFEF – Spanish Football Association with immediate effect,” it said in a statement.

Laporte was allowed to declare for Spain after Fifa amended its rules last year to allow players to switch national teams.

Players can make the change as long as they had not played more than three matches for that country before the age of 21 and had not featured at a World Cup or continental tournament.

Laporte, who signed for City in January 2018 for £57million, has never played for the France senior team despite making over 50 appearances for its youth teams.

The 26-year-old centre back grew up in France but moved to Spain in 2010 to join the youth academy of Athletic Bilbao.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in